Renowned highlife musician Ofori Amponsah has shared the inspiring story of how he rose to stardom in Ghana’s music scene. In an interview on the Day Show with Berla Mundi, Ofori revealed the struggles he faced in the early years of his career, often walking around in search of a producer to listen to his songs.
He recounted a pivotal moment in Lapaz when he had just finished school and was on his usual quest to find a producer. On this particular day, he met a CD seller who told him about an exciting opportunity. The seller shared that the legendary Daddy Lumba was searching for young talents to mentor. “I was in school, and after school, I would just pick my CDs and go around. I went to a CD shop in Lapaz. That day, I was about to give up after four years of trying to get someone to listen to my songs,” Ofori recalled.
The CD seller, upon listening to Ofori’s music, was impressed and suggested that Daddy Lumba, known for discovering and nurturing talent, could be the break he needed. "He said these songs are great, and I think Daddy Lumba is searching for young guys to groom. That was my breakthrough," Ofori shared.
Two days later, Ofori met Daddy Lumba, who listened to his songs and immediately recognized his talent. In a memorable moment, Daddy Lumba handed Ofori GH₵5,000 in a brown envelope, telling him, You are a star. This was in 1993, and the financial support gave Ofori the confidence to continue pursuing his dreams. However, despite this breakthrough, Ofori faced challenges in his journey. Daddy Lumba eventually gave up on production, which delayed the release of Ofori’s music.
Ofori further explained that during this period, he was also expelled from school for pursuing music. "I was on the street for about four years," he said, describing a difficult period in his life. Despite the setbacks, he remained hopeful, and by divine intervention, his songs eventually saw the light of day.
His first single with Daddy Lumba was “Anti Atta,” which marked the beginning of his successful career. Ofori later released his debut album, Asew, solidifying his place in Ghana’s highlife music scene. His story is a testament to perseverance and the power of mentorship in the music industry.
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